6 Jun 2009

Two tall women, one of them a model, were swinging in step in classic “paired” runway formation. Both were almost identically dressed in knee-length cream with belts, bare legs and heels. They could almost have been modelling some designers’ collection named “First Lady Spring 2009”.

Undoubtedly the choice of colour worn by Mrs Obama and Mrs Bruni-Sarkozy was a coincidence. Hell would surely freeze before two such self-confident dressers would confer over what to wear.

Certainly, there will be some questions asked over whether a light, summery colour is disrespectful on a sombre day of remembrance.

Sarah Brown stayed with the tradition of sober attire, safely putting her out of the way of fashion attention.

As for the other two, their Caen encounter was the sequel to their first-round meeting at the G8 in Strasbourg, where — to either their amusement or embarrassment — both women turned up wearing coats with large pussycat bow necklines.

On that occasion, the outcome may not necessarily have been to Mrs Bruni-Sarkozy’s liking.

Mrs Obama, the international new girl, was wearing a cabbage-rose print outfit from the American designer Thakoon and won rave reviews.

By contrast, Mrs Bruni-Sarkozy stuck to the demure greys and flat shoes she had so far judged necessary to counterbalance her colourful past and shorter husband. Standing next to Mrs Obama, she found the American had a two-inch advantage on her. So at this fashion face-off, it’s fascinating to see how things have changed.

The French president’s wife chose Dior again, but dropped the grey in favour of a youthfully chic and flattering cap-sleeved ivory satin sheath with a gathered neckline – just the sort of arm-revealing dress Michelle Obama has made her signature.

However, the American First Lady chose to relinquish what her husband jokingly called her “right to bare arms” for the day, choosing to put a coat by Narciso Rodriguez over a dress by Michael Kors (both New York designers), though the belt she wore was by Givenchy.

The most significant detail of all, however, is found in the two pairs of shoes on the Caen red carpet. Mrs Obama wore silver Jimmy Choos. But for the first time since marrying, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy was seen wearing heels.